Filter tips

With reduced labour costs as a result of fewer filter changes, and reduced energy costs through slower running of the fan, there is an overall cost saving of approximately £120 per filter per annum.

Just as cigarettes come with a health warning, perhaps some air filters should come with a ‘wealth warning’. Because simply by changing your filter to a different type of technology, you can reduce your energy costs whilst still maintaining the level of filtration and airflow you need.

The last issue of Know+How looked at ways to reduce the amount of energy used by fans and pumps; from the simplest solution of changing the ratio of the belt and pulley that drives a particular fan, to the more complex method of fitting inverters to enable slower running speeds. The article also mentioned the ultimate solution, of doing all the above plus fitting a new, highly efficient filter.

So how does a change of filter help reduce energy bills?

Whether you are using an air filter as part of your process (in a cooling, warming or venting system, for example) or to maintain an environment (as part of your air conditioning system) you face the same problem of maintaining an acceptable balance of filtration efficiency and back pressure. The higher the filtration efficiency, the higher the initial back pressure, and the sooner the filter becomes clogged – leading to a further increase in back pressure. In both cases, reduced air flow leads to higher energy use, as the fan has to work harder or run faster to push the air through the filter.

Developments in filter technology over the past few years have largely been aimed at achieving acceptable filtration levels without increasing back pressure or shortening filter life through faster clogging, and without increasing energy consumption through the need for a more powerful or faster fan. One way to do this is through an increased filter surface area – providing exceptionally low pressure drop – combined with high filtration efficiency and a high dust-holding capacity. This technology is now commercially available in the shape of the Vokes-Air Synsafe Revo filter.

With the new filter installed, air volumes increased by 20%, and hertz readings reduced from 50Hz to 46.3Hz. At the same time, pressure drop was reduced by 50%. Consequently, supply diffusers and return air grilles could be adjusted to provide the required air distribution and clean room balance, and in the longer term energy costs and filter replacement costs were cut.

The Vokes-Air Synsafe Revo maintains its sustainable credentials to the end, as it can be recycled or incinerated without emitting any poisonous gasses. So from the moment it’s commissioned until the end of its life, a Synsafe Revo filter helps you breath more easily.